Tuition & Financial Aid

How much does it cost?

If you are a currently enrolled as Crop Sciences undergraduate student, certificate courses are included in your tuition. If you are not a Crop Sciences students, fees are as follows: 

Undergraduate-level Certificate

  • $416 per credit
  • 12 Credits for the Certificate
  • Total: $4,992 + Fees

Professional Development Certificate (Graduate-level Certificate)

  • $712 per credit
  • 9-12 Credits for the Certificate
  • Total: $6,408-$8,544 + Fees

Is Financial Aid available?
No, financial aid is not available.

Are tuition waivers available?
The certificate programs are not eligible for tuition waivers.

Am I eligible to receive VA benefits for the Certificate Programs as a non-degree seeking student? 

The Certificate Programs are not eligible for federal VA benefit use. However, Illinois State Benefits such as the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) or Illinois National Guard (ING) are eligible when applicable.

Academic Credit

Can I transfer credit to the Certificate Program?
No, we do not accept transfer credit for the Certificate programs. All credits should be taken from our university.

Exception:
Up to 12 credit hours of 400-level courses may be transferred for the Online Master’s program. Credits must be approved by the online program director prior to transfer in accordance with the requirements set by the Online Master’s program in the Department.

Can retroactive credits apply to my Certificate/Master’s program?
No. Students must first apply and declare their intent to be in the Certificate//Master’s program prior to taking any classes.

Am I able to apply these credits towards the Horticulture Degree?
Yes, all credits are transcriptable academic credits.

Registration

When can I start?
You can start any semester. Tentative Registration Dates are as follows:

  • Fall Semester—July
  • Spring Semester—December
  • Summer Semester—April

How can I register for an Online Course?
Once you receive the confirmation email for the Online Certificate Program you applied for, you need to create an account by registering on CITL. You can register on the Academic Credit Registration for Non-Degree Seeking Students website. (Please click the Registration tab in the Orange Bar at the top of the page when you are ready to register.) https://apps.citl.illinois.edu/non-degree-registration/NonDegreeStudents/Home

For step-by-step instructions on how to register, please view the Non-Degree Seeking Students Registration Process Overview. https://online.illinois.edu/getting-started/how-to-enroll-in-an-online-course/non-degree-seeking-students-step-by-step

How long does it take to complete the program?
All classes are 1 to 3-credit hours semester-long and based on a semester. You need to take 9 to 12 credit hours to earn a certificate. The time to finish the program depends on how many classes you take each semester.

Am I able to work at my own pace?
All courses are either asynchronous (self-paced) or online synchronous, which meets in the evening (6:00 P.M.—9:30 P.M. CST, Monday through Thursday) once a week.

Will I ever need to go on campus?
No, it is not mandatory to go on campus.